The Naze, Walton-on-the-Naze

About The Naze, Walton-on-the-Naze

The Naze is the headland north of Walton-on-the-Naze, where soft cliffs are being cut back by the sea and drop old material onto a mixed sand and shingle beach. It's best known for fossil sharks' teeth, but beachcombers report a steady supply of sea glass from the same eroding cliffs. The stretch north of the Naze Tower towards Pennyhole Bay is the one to walk, and neighbouring Frinton beach is said to be similar.

Sea glass at The Naze, Walton-on-the-Naze

Mostly white, green, amber and brown, with seafoam and soft blue reported and the odd rarer colour. Search the strandline and pebble ridges north of the tower steps on a falling tide; one finder suggests arriving about two hours after high tide, early in the morning as it's a popular spot.

Visiting The Naze, Walton-on-the-Naze

Getting there

Drive to the Naze Tower car park on Old Hall Lane (CO14 8LJ) and take the concrete steps down to the beach, then head north along the foreshore. Walton-on-the-Naze has a railway station on the Colchester branch line.

Parking

Naze car park, Old Hall Lane (CO14 8LJ), next to the Naze Tower; pay and display.

Toilets

At the Naze Nature Discovery Centre beside the car park, including accessible toilet and baby changing.

Safety

Check the tide times before you go and head out on a falling tide, so you're never cut off. Keep away from the bottom of cliffs, wear sturdy shoes on rocks, and only take sea glass and other man-made rubbish: pebbles, sand and shells should stay on the beach.